7 Things to Do Before You Get Pregnant

So you and your partner have decided that now is the time to get pregnant and start your family. Congratulations! This time in your life can be very exciting and overwhelming at the same time. When I was TTC I was in such awe of becoming pregnant. I just couldn’t wait to feel my baby growing inside of me and start shopping for him or her (baby shopping is so much fun!).

You may already be picking out baby names and thinking of nursery themes, but you may want to take a step back and give yourself the best possible chance of becoming pregnant.

Choosing a name for your future child is significant, symbolizing hope and excitement for what’s to come. However, focusing on health and wellness is important to ensure you’re in the best position to conceive.

For some women, getting pregnant is so easy that it seems as though they could just see a man and become pregnant. That, however, is not the case for most women.

It can take a healthy couple up to a year to become pregnant. Back when trying to conceive a baby was all I could think about, I found a few things that make the TTC process a bit easier for us less than super, amazingly fertile people.

Start Taking Prenatal Vitamins Now

A growing baby needs abundant nutrients to develop into the cute little baby you want. It is a good idea to start stockpiling these nutrients (especially folic acid) to help your bundle grow and possibly prevent a neural tube defect by taking a prenatal vitamin now.

If you are one of the unlucky mothers-to-be who are praying to the porcelain gods morning, noon, and night- the stockpile you create may be just what your developing fetus is screaming “Give me, Give me” for.

Stop Drinking Caffeine and Alcohol

There are plenty of pregnancy complications out there without imposing them on ourselves. We all know that caffeine can cause jitteriness and increase your heart rate. That doesn’t sound like something you want to impose on your growing bundle of joy or your pregnant body. A little bit of caffeine is usually okay, but the less you have, the better. On the other hand, we all know drinking alcohol while you are pregnant is a big no-no.

You know that it can cause a variety of fetal defects that no mother would ever want to cause. Stopping these bad habits before you become pregnant is much better than quitting them cold turkey. So when you are offered a tempting frozen margarita or an ice cold coke just say “No thank you, I’ll take a big refreshing glass of water with a lemon! I think lemon makes water taste so much better!

Quit Smoking

Smoking is another big no-no everyone knows about. Breathing smoke into your lungs doesn’t sound like it would be very good for a baby growing inside of you, does it? Smoking can cause premature births, low birth weights, as well as a host of other issues.

Go to the Dentist and Have a Full Checkup

When you are pregnant, your baby becomes a little leech that sucks the calcium from your teeth and bones. It’s best to make sure your teeth are in top shape before the leeching begins. Maybe take a calcium supplement, too!

Try to get as Close as Possible to your Ideal Body Weight

It is usually easier for people to become pregnant when they are at a healthy weight. Anything that is too below or above average can make it more difficult.

So eat healthily and exercise to make your pre-pregnancy body the best it can be—before you gain an extra 25 pounds and an adoring appendage that will eventually call you mama.

Stop Any Form of Birth Control

Obvious, right? It is often a good idea to wait at least a month or until you have a regular period before you start TTC. Being aware of when your period occurs gives you a better chance of knowing when can you get pregnant and is also a good indicator of your due date when you do get pregnant.

Go to a Pre-conception Consultation

Talk to your doctor about your trying to conceive plans and see what suggestions he offers you. It may also be a good idea for him to check your and your partner’s “equipment” to make sure everything is working properly, as well as your family genetic history. It is a good idea to have all of the facts before you begin on the greatest journey of your life.